Quick Transmigration: Before the Villain Is Born

An Jin, a young woman who died at eighteen from a rare illness, is bound to a System that transports her into a novel world. Her mission is to inhabit the body of Yao Wei, the third daughter of Minister Yao, and prevent the tragic fate of the future villainess. In the original story, Yao Wei eloped with a wandering swordsman named Gong Yue, suffered through a difficult childbirth in a ruined temple, and died, leaving their daughter to be raised in the Yao household where she was abused and eventually became a destructive consort who ruined the nation. An Jin’s task is to create a loving family for the unborn child, thereby altering the villain’s destiny. She arrives just before the embroidered-ball matchmaking ceremony at Lingshan Temple, fully aware that bandits will attack and that Gong Yue will rescue her.

During the carriage ride, An Jin experiences terror as the bandit attack unfolds exactly as predicted. She steps out to distract the attackers, allowing her mother and guards to escape, but is pursued into the forest. There, she encounters Gong Yue, a cold and lethal swordsman perched in a tree. After he slaughters the bandits with terrifying efficiency, he carries her back to the Yao residence on his back. The System reveals crucial information: Gong Yue did not abandon their daughter out of neglect, but died from his wounds while hunting down those who had surrounded the temple during Yao Wei’s labor. He had intended to return to his child but perished on the road. This revelation shifts An Jin’s perspective, replacing her initial fear and resentment with a sense of pity and determination to heal the broken family.

Upon returning home, An Jin is immediately confined to the embroidery tower by her father, Minister Yao, who views her solely as a political tool to secure alliances. Despite the isolation, Gong Yue begins visiting her secretly at night. He is injured from an assassination mission and seeks refuge in her tower. An Jin tends to his wounds, and through their interactions, a bond forms. He brings her toys and storybooks to alleviate her loneliness, while she helps him recover. They work together to finish her wedding dress, a symbol of the cage she is trapped in. Gong Yue initially resists the idea of eloping, citing the harsh realities of the jianghu and his lack of wealth, fearing she will regret abandoning her noble status for a life of wandering.

On the eve of her coming-of-age ceremony, An Jin confronts Gong Yue. Dressed in her wedding attire, she confesses her feelings and asks him to take her away. When he hesitates, she burns the wedding dress in a candle flame, destroying the symbol of her forced marriage and cutting off any possibility of return. Moved by her resolve, Gong Yue agrees. They flee the capital together, sharing a simple wedding ceremony in his remote mountain cottage. However, An Jin falls severely ill from a cold contracted during their escape. Gong Yue takes her to a pharmacy, where they are spotted by a former guard from the Yao residence. The guard recognizes An Jin and reports their location to Minister Yao, setting in motion a pursuit that threatens their fragile new life.

The story follows An Jin and Gong Yue as they navigate the dangers of life on the run while An Jin recovers. The System continues to guide her, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their relationship to ensure the future villain is born into a loving environment. Meanwhile, the Yao family, particularly Minister Yao, launches a relentless search for his daughter, driven by pride and the desire to control the political implications of her disappearance. The narrative explores the contrast between An Jin’s sheltered past and her current reality, as well as Gong Yue’s internal struggle between his solitary nature and his growing attachment to her. As the threat of capture looms, the couple must rely on each other, with An Jin working to build a genuine connection with the man who was once just a tragic figure in a story she sought to rewrite.

As An Jin recovers, the dynamic between her and Gong Yue deepens. She is no longer just a passenger in his life but an active participant, using her knowledge of the plot to help him avoid dangers he might not foresee. The System provides occasional commentary, reminding her of the stakes: if the villain’s childhood remains traumatic, the world will suffer. An Jin is determined to prove that love and stability can change fate. She begins to prepare for the child’s arrival, learning skills she never needed in her previous life. The tension between their hidden existence and the powerful forces seeking to reclaim her creates a constant undercurrent of danger. Minister Yao’s wrath is not just personal but political, involving influential figures who see An Jin’s escape as an insult to their authority. The story builds toward the birth of their child, a pivotal moment that will determine whether An Jin’s mission succeeds or fails, and whether the family can survive the consequences of their choices.